Combined inkwell and pen support



June 7, 1932. J. F. GAIL ,8 2,

COMBINED INKWELL AND PEN SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov.22, 1928 June 7, 1932. F, GAlL 1,862,139

COMBINED INKWELL AND ?EN SUPPORT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 22. 1928 will/11A iii (0771277 IO/1121]? GCLLL Mam? 195.

?atented June 7,1932.

Jenn r. GAIL, or nvmvsrroiv, ILLINOIS reta n coranmnn INKWELL AND PE surroum [application 'filed November 22, 1928. Serial No; 321,116.

This invention relates to combined inkwells and pen supports and has for its principal object to provide a device for normally supporting a pen in upright position with the penpoint immersed in a supply of ink, the depth of immersion being 7 limited. Other objects are to provide a device of the above-described.

character in which evaporation of the ink from theink supply is substantially prevented when the pen is supported bythe device; to

provide means whereby the quantity of ink into which the. pen isdipped may be main-e tained substantially constant with great fa-' cility, and to providea combined inkvvelland. pen support which may be easily and quickly cleaned. V I A,

Other objects and advantages will be understood by referenceto the following speci fication and accompanying drawings, in which I have illustrated two selected forms of combined inkwell andpen support, each of which embodies the features of my invention. I

In the drawings: 1 I Fig. 1 is a plan of one form of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2.2of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. {lis a plan of a second form. Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 ofFig. {L Referring now to the drawings,fwith particular reference to Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, one form of my invention includes a main reservoir 6 which is adapted-to receive a'supply of ink, indicated 8 and a cover 9 provided forclosingthe top of'the reservoir 6.

Thecover 9 is preferably secured to the mam p p outward 'endwise displacement of the absorb-- reservoir 6 by means of interengaging, screw threading 10 on the mside of the dependlng annular top flange 25 and on the outside of the upper marginal side'portion of the reservoir.

The cover is provided with an upwardly extend ng annulus 11 which is apertured'as at 12 to provide an opening through which the pen-point 13 of a pen may be passed. The

aperture 12'is preferably of suchfa size that V the pen point may pass freely therethrough I Without engaging thesides of theaperture,

andthe. diameter of the annulus immediately above the opening 12 is such that the. lower end 14 of the penholder 15 will fit freely thereiniand reetnpon the shoulder 16 Which is formed as an incident to the above-describedconstruction. It will beseen that, provided the penholder 15 is maintained in a position coaxial with the aperture 12, the end of the pen will serve to close the opening 12 so that evaporation of ink isprevented when'thefpenholderis in place, as shownin Figu-re2. .f For maintaining the pen in such coaxial position, I provide the annulus 11. with an inner lining of absorbent material 17 which reduces thefinsidediameter of the annulus so that the penholder 15 isengaged'at a point spaced upwardly from the shoulder 16 and thereby maintainedsubstantially in said coaxialposition'. The absorbent filler 17 may be of any suitable absorbent material, for in stance, blotting paper, and may be made up in a the formfof, ringsorjvashers and piled, one over the other, untillthe recess 18 is proper Theinside surface of the absorbent material is preferably lined with a fine mesh screen 19 which maybe of metal or other 7.5 materialand Whichwill serve to prevent cutting or picking out of the absorbent material; by engagement therewith of the pen-point 13. A cap member .ZOthreadedly engaging the'upper end of the annulus 1 1,as shown-in Figure 2, may be provided for preventing ent packing 17 and also to finish oil the top of the annulus 11. Preferably, the pen-receiv-l ing space inside of the annulus is made bellshaped or outwardly flaring, as shown, to facilitate insertion of the peninto the holder.

In devices of th-ischaracter, it is preferable that the 1penpoint be immersed inthe inksupply to a predetermined limited depth, and

"ease supply that not excess thereof, so that when the pen is withdrawn for writing,it w1ll carry suflicient ink to write freely, but not such a large ofblotting the work due to ink dropping from the pen point. For this reason, I provlde an auxiliary receptacle 21 preferably. of rectan gular shape and provided von its'opposite sides with pairs of ears'orlugs 22-22 which '7 Figure 2, the'pen-point receptacle to a limited ly to disengage the lugs tween the wall of the reservoir the receptacle 21. However,

extend laterally outwardly from the said. sides. The lugs 22 of the auxiliary receptacle 21v are adapted to engage lugs or hangers 2323 which are preferably formed integrah ly with the cover.9. The arrangement for mounting the auxiliary receptacle 21 is preferably such (as shown in Figure 2) that the receptacle cannot be'unseated from the hang-' ers 23 when the cover is in place on the main reservoir 6, but may readily be removed when the cover is removed from the said reservoir.

By inspection of Figure 2, it will be seen that the rectangular receptacle21 isslidabl'elongi- .tudinally on the hangers ceptacle and the inner wall ofthejdepending, cover, flange part 25 is su'liicient tofpermitsuch p of the lugs and hangersso that the receptacle may be removed or separated .from-the; cover for cleaning, or other disenge'ment purpose-s; v 1 y lV-hen the-parts are assembled as shown'in 13 projects into the depth, so that when the receptacle isfilled with asupply ofink the pen-point will accordingly be immersed only to a predetermined limited depth. For

facilitating the maintenance of a full supply of ink in the auxiliary receptacle21,l provide a pump mechanism which draws a quan- "tity ofink from the supply 8 in the main reservoir 6 and delivers such quantity to the auxiliary receptacle 21. v V V p V p The above-mentionedpump mechanism 111 the'present instance includes a depending post-like part 26 which is preferablyforined integral withthe cover 9 and which'is provided with a well 27 which communicateswith the supply 8 of ink in the main reservoir through an aperture or port 28in the lower endof the part 26. A- soft: rubber bulb ;29', I which tends to retain its expanded positionas shown in Figure 2, is provided for drawing a quantity of ink from thesupply f 8 into the well 27 through the saidp'ort 28.

A ball member 30 is disposed in the lower end of the well 27 and normally servesto close the port 28 so that'thequantity ofink in the well 27lcannot pass outwardly through the port'28, when the bulb 29 is collapsed. A

there would be a serious danger 'passageway31 is provided in thepost memvber 26 for conveying a quantity of ink in the well 27 to the receptacle 21, and this passage-. way 31 communicatees' with the lower end of the well 27 through the agency of a ball check valve'member 32. It will be readily understood that when the bulb 29 is collapsed, thequantity of inkin the lower end of the well 27 will be forced through the open ings of the check valve 32 and through the passageway 31 intothe auxiliary'receptacle 21. The check valve 32 serves to prevent the return of ink or air from the'passageway 31 into the well 27 when the bulb 29 expands so that a new quantity of ink is drawn into the well 27 from the main reservoir 6 through the port 28. maybe provided for maintaining the ball valvemembers in operative position relative to the'respective valve seats.

Thesecond form of my invention, shown 1n Figures 4 and 5 of the drawlngs, is a'somewhat simplified form and accordingly inscribed embodiment. ,The second form may Pins such as shown at 33 and 34 -volves certain advantages over the above de- 1 comprise a main reservoir 40 which receives a-ndholds a supply of ink 41." A cover 42 forthe niain reservoir is provided and may be secured to the latter' by means ofscrew "thre'adedly interlocking portions, as clearly shown in A igure 5. embodiment pro The cover 42in this cting annulus 43 having an aperture 44 in its lowerend' forpermitting thepas- 1 0 sage of apen-point therethroiigh as clearlyv is provided with an upwardly;

shown. The annulus43 is preferably formed a with an outwardly flaring internal chamber so as to facilitate insertion of the pen there-f into, and a shoulder 45 is formed to support The cover 42 15 provided with a central aperture 46 and a depending annular flange V 47 which-in etl'e'ct lengthens said aperture,

and an auxiliary receptacle 48 l1av-ingjan' upwardly pro1ect1ng' post member 49 is removably mounted infth'e said aperture'46 by sliding-the. post part 49 through said aperture. In Figures 4 and 5, I have shown the] main reservoir as being substantially circular in plan. In this.case,.theauxiliary" replan and fits inside of the reservoir 40 quite 1 closely, leaving only a comparativelynarrow space, indicated at 50, between-thejoutside,

ofthe auxiliary receptacle and the insideof the reservoir. The post 49 is preferably hol-' cepjtacle 48 is also substantially circular-in lowed out, and a compressible spring 51,

positioned inside oithe hollow post 49 and between. the upper end. of the same and the bottoin the res ervoir, serves;to normally mamtain the reservoir in ts-uppermost.po-

sition, as shown in Figure 5, thereceptacle being limited in upward movement b t e engagementshown at 52 between the-lower-- the pen by engaging'thejlower endxof the pen holder clearly shown. 7

receptacle 48 whenv so may initially be supplied end of the flange 47 and an annularboss provided in the bottom 0 the auxiliary receptacle around the post 49.

V A supply 41 of ink beingin the main reservoir 40, the auxiliary receptacle 48 may quickly and easily be filled by merely depressing the same against the pressure of the spring 51 by pressing on the top of the post 49. The depressed displaces the supply of ink 41 which passes upwardly through the space 50 between the Outside of the receptacle 48' voir 40 and flows into the receptacle 48. vVhen the receptacle is filled, the post 49 may be released and the spring 51 will raise the receptacle to its normal up position.

It will .be understood that in both of the above-described forms of to the, main reservoir by pouring through the pen support or annulus, or that'the cover may be removed from the main reservoir to afiord access'to.

the same. In both forms of my invention, the auxil ary reservoir is removably mounted with respect to the cover and may be readily separated therefrom for cleaning or" other purposes. Obviously, in'both forms of my invention, the. pen-po nt s immersed in ink to a maximum and substantially uniform depth, independent of wide variations in the depth of ink 111 the main reservoir. I It is not, of course, necessary that the auxiliary receptacle be maintained entirely full atall times, since the pen-point would receive sufficient ink v iliary receptacle were not completely filled. However, because of the great fac lity with which the auxiliary receptacles maybe maintained full, it is probable that in actual use they would be maintainedsubstantially full at all times so as to obtain the ing efiiciency from the pen.

If a fountain V is used, the pen reservoir maybe replenished quickly and conveniently from-time to time without danger of inserting the point end of the penliolder tar eiioughinto the ink. re-

greatest writceptacle to Wet the lower end of the barrel. I am aware that changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of determined by reference to the following claims, construing thesame as broadlyas possible consistent withthe state of the art. i

I claim as my invention:

1. In an inkstand of the class described, the combination of a main reservoir, an auxiliary ink receptacle within said reservoir and arranged to overflow tli'ei'einto, means for supplying ink from said reservoir to said receptacle, and

a pen in upright position with the pen-point immersed in said auxiliary receptacle, said means comprising a part having an opening and inside of the reser-,

to write eventhough the auxwhich should he means for normally supporting V cle to a predeterminedlimited depth. 9 21 11 an inksta id of the class described,

my invention, ink I r 7 arranged to'overflow pen'of the self-filler type the pen-point therethrough and intofsaid permitting only the pen-point to pass therethrough and into said rounding portion thereof engages apart of the penholder to prevent the same from passing through said openingand into said ink said part being thereby eftectiveto normally support said pen with its pen point submerged iii the ink in'sai'd auxiliary receptathe combination of a'main'reservoir', anauxiliary ink receptacle within" said reservoir and arranged to overflow thereinto, means for supplying ink from said reservoir to said receptacle, and means for: normally supporting a pen in upright position with the penspoint immersed in said' auxiliary receptacle, said means comprising a tubular member haying an opening ad acent its lower'endv the penholder toprevent the same from pass.- ing through said opening, whereby saidmem I I permitting; the pen-point only to pass therethrough and that thesu'rrounding por-' tionof said tubular member engages apart of 1 auxiliary receptacle,v said opening being 'ofisuch sizethat the sure her serves to limit the depth of immersion of said pen-point, a portion ofisaid tubular?- member spaced upwardly from said-opening also engaging taining the same the combinationjof a mainreservoir having an open top, a removable cover for saidlopen 0p,. an "auxiliary.

said pen holderforf'main substantially coaxial with; said opening, wlierebysaid pen:holder serves so as to prevent excessive V the-inkstandm ..1

receptacle removably Y mounted onsaid cover and disposed within said main, reservoir place thereon, said auxiliary receptaclebeing into said reservoir, means for supplying ink from said main reservoir to said auxiliary receptacle, and means carried by said cover for supporting a 'pen in upright'po'sition withthe pen-pointv only immersed in saidiauxiliary receptacle to apre-i determined, limited depth when the latter is full, said pen-supporting stricted so as to perinitonlythe passage of auxiliary receptacle. p p

s 4. In anfinkstand-rof the cla'ssjdescribed, the combination of a main-reservoir, an. aux:

iliary receptacle within the upper portion of said reservoir and arranged to overflow thereinto, means for supplying ink from said reservoirto said receptacle, a single. cover for said reservoirand said receptacle and serving to support the latter, and meansfor norn'ially supporting a pen in inclined upwardly extending position with theQpenpo-int immersed in said. auxiliary receptacle, said mea comprisingan inclined tubular member extending upwardly" from said cover,

when said cover' isiir means being con lib 1 said cover being providedwith an opening the, lower end of said tubua lar member. and coaxial therewith, said open-.

therein adjacent ing-being of such a sizeias to permit a pen :point to pass'therethrough and into said re-* ceptacle while preventing the; lower end of the penholder from being inserted" into receptacle, thereby to the pen point may be inserted in said"reeep-;

- the pen holder is kept clean.

tacle, and a lining of absorbent material in said tubular member for absorbing ink inadvertently deposited thereon, thereby to prevent ink "from accumulating on the inside wall surface of said tubular member; whereby V a .5; In combinationwith an ink receptacle having an opening in the upper portion 7 thereof, pen supporting means comprismga tubular member in axial alignment With-said d the depth to which the pen point may be in-' v serted in said receptacle,

7 tective covering over receptacle;

in said ink-supplying ,pump and saidpump and receptacle are bothv bent material in said tubularxmember for ab sorbingink inadvertently deposited thereon,

if and protective means covering said absorb- 'ent lining to preventv the pen point from penetrating said lining. I U 6.;A pen support "comprising 1 a tubular member, a lining .of absorbent material in i said tubular member, and aforaminous prosaid absorbent lining." I a 7 ."In an inkstand ofthe class described, the combination of a main reservoir, an auxiliary ink receptacle within'said reservoir and arranged for supplying ink from saidreservoir to said receptacle, a single 'closuremember for said reservoir and said receptacle, and means -ar-' ranged on said closure member for normally supporting a pen in upright position and having aconstriction therein whereby a 'pen holder will be prevented from entering said receptacle and the pen-point carried by said holder may be immersed maximum depth in the'ink carried-by said 8. A deviceas vmeans consists of a carried by said 'closure'm'ember.

' 9; In agdevice as 1211i} means supporting said.

receptacle in elefvated, position, and means carried said 7 i V receptacle and'extending through said clo-c sure member where it may be readilygrasped for depressingsaid, receptacle against the'ac' tion of said resilient means tion of said reservo r to the lower-porsaid 7 limit the depth to'which.

a single closure member,

du -m f b and said receptacle, and handle meanscan to overflow thereinto, means be filled with ink to a predetermined described in claim 7 where-v defined in :claim 7 resilreceptacle and I for fillingsaid recep f tacle with ink automatically, 7 said closure 10. In a deviceasdefined in claim 7, re

silient' means supporting said receptacle in elevated position, and handle means carried by said receptacle and saidelosure member where it may be readily grasped for depressing said I receptacle against the action of said resilient means to the lower portion of said reservoir for filling V said receptacle with ink automatically, the

which 7,0 '7 extending through:

outer contour ofsaidreceptacle being s1milar andnearly equal in dimensions to the iliary ink .receptaclerdisposed within said .VIQSQIYOH and arranged to overflow thereinto, resilient means supportlng said recep tacle in the upper portion of said reservoir,

mnercontour of saidreservoir whereby sub- 5 the'combinationof a main reservoir, an'aux- 9; for saidreservoir ried. by said receptacle and extending through said closure member where it may be readily grasped for depressing said receptacle to the lowerportion of said reser- 'voir against the action of said resilient means be filled with ink automati the slidingpassage 12. In an inkstand or the class eserted,

the combination of a main reservoir, an auxiliary ink receptacle ithin said reservoir a single closure member for said reservoir and said receptacle,'a tubular member carried by said and arranged to'overflow thereinto,

receptacle and extending through said closure member, said tubular member serving as a handlefor depressingsaid receptacle to the lower portion of said reservoir.- where it may ber and supported on the bottom of said reservoir forresiliently maintaining said reg ceptacle in elevated position, saidclosure member having an aperturetherein for per-' mitting the iImmersion eta pen in saidre ceptacle and an aperture "of such size as to j an auxf 7 automatically, and a heli-V cal spring disposed within said tubular memiliaryfink receptacle within said'reservcir i and arranged tooverflow closure member for said thereinto, a single 1 reservoir andsaid' receptacle, a tubular member carried by said I extendin 7 sure member, said closure member having anfopening through through a said e10;

which snaablyiezteaa i said tubular member, said tubular member serving as a handle for depressing said receptacle to the lower portion of said reservoir where it may be filled with ink automatically, a helical spring disposed within said tubular member and supported on the bottom of said reservoir for resiliently maintaining said receptacle in elevated position, and means arranged on said closure member for normally supporting a pen in upright position and having a constriction therein whereby a penholder will be prevented from entering said receptacle and the penpoint carried by said holder may be immersed to a predetermined maximum depth in the ink carried by said receptacle.

JOHN F. GAIL. 

